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Washington The foundation of American democracy is the belief that each arm of government keeps the others from gaining excessive power.
President-elect Donald Trump has already indicated in the two weeks since his election day victory that he is prepared to test the boundaries of those checks and balances,
Potentially resulting in a constitutional conflict with a conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court and a Congress controlled by members of his own party.
According to Trump, Republicans in the U.S. Senate must consent to “recess appointments,” which give the incoming president the power to choose his own candidates without their consent.
Though it’s uncertain whether he intends to, Trump may attempt to utilize an unproven constitutional right to do it nonetheless if Congress doesn’t agree.
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the former and future president’s pals who have been appointed to head the recently established Department of Government Efficiency,
Also claim he plans to disregard congressional orders to spend on government programs, including slashing the federal workforce.
Additionally, he has stated his desire to abolish organizations like the Department of Education. All things considered, the early indications suggest that Trump’s second term.
Will be a test for the country’s roughly 250-year-old constitutional framework, which might destroy the established division of powers. Register to Cast Your Vote:
Text the elections team at USA TODAY. Additional:Recess appointments: what are they? Here are some things to consider as Trump searches for Cabinet candidates.
In order to accomplish such goals, she added, “I believe he sees power as kind of all-encompassing and is willing to break norms and precedents and perhaps even sort of undermine institutions.”
Additionally, as Trump’s influence within the Republican Party has increased, it is less certain that Republicans in Congress or the conservative justices on the Supreme Court will be prepared.
To defend the authority of their respective branches of government than he was during and after his first administration, when he survived two impeachment trials.
More: When accusations of sexual misbehavior are disregarded: A new era in American politics It has caused a rift within the GOP,
With many legislators arguing that it is time for the party to support Trump’s agenda while others express worries about possible overreach. “We must accept whatever it is. Everything.
“Every word,” Texas Representative Troy Nehls told reporters last week. “If Donald Trump says jump three feet high and scratch your head, we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads.”
Trump asked shortly after his election that the next Republican leader of the Senate agree to “recess appointments,”
Which would enable the body to adjourn and temporarily accept his cabinet and other picks without a drawn-out confirmation process.
It soon became evident why: A number of Trump’s selections, such as former Representative Matt Gaetz for attorney general, Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense,
And Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, have proven contentious, forcing senators to make the difficult decision of whether to oppose Trump’s wishes.
Additionally, Trump’s team has so far eschewed FBI background checks and other conventional nomination screening processes.
More: Information about claims of sexual misconduct by Trump administration appointees Trump may still want to confirm his Cabinet the old-fashioned way, since Gaetz,
Who is facing accusations of sexual misconduct with a child, resigned when it became apparent he wouldn’t have enough support to be approved.
However, Trump may attempt to utilize an unproven constitutional clause to forcefully adjourn Congress and install his candidates.
If Senate Republicans reject another candidate. Republicans in the Senate would have to oppose it by continuously reconvening to halt it.
Senators are considering whether they have a constitutional obligation to advise and approve the president’s choices.
The Gaetz nomination was an early test of the president-elect’s reaction to criticism, Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told USA TODAY.
“He’s already proven that he’s going to respond in the right way, so a recess appointment for a Cabinet secretary would be pretty strongly resisted by those of us that protect.
The separation of powers,” he said. More: Will Project 2025 be carried out by Trump? Important facts on the right-wing policy blueprint
Upon being asked whether he believes there are enough Republicans in the Senate who share his views, he said, “I think we would protect the integrity of the institution.”
The moderate Republican senator from Maine, Susan Collins, who opposed Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, said that she has been “taking a deep dive” into the constitutional issue of recess appointments.
She told USA TODAY, “I feel strongly about preserving the powers of the legislative branch.” “During my time in the Senate,
I have seen the decline of Congressional authority over the executive branch. That is a troubling tendency, regardless of whether it is President Biden or President Trump.